On November 20, the concrete structure of the reactor - a key component of the phosphoric acid plant (PAP) of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) in the northern part of Saudi Arabia - was successfully topped out, paving the way for subsequent equipment erection works.

The milestone involves large amount of quantities and complex sequences, with 910 cubic meters of concrete to be poured, 280 tons of rebar to be installed, and the critical sequence of ultra-high strength shear wall. 32 craftsmen, 2 43-meter pump trucks and 8 vibrators were mobilized to achieve completion of the continuous concrete pour in a matter of 13.5 hours.

The work presents multiple challenges: the reactor comes with a complex geometry, densely arranged rebar is to be installed, millimeter-level installation precision is required for embedded parts, and complicated formwork support is to be secured for the 800mm-thick ultra-high strength shear wall, which demands stringent control of concrete slump and vibration frequency. To tackle these challenges, the project team established a task force to develop the construction method statement, conducted multiple technical briefings to the construction crew, and enforced stringent sequence-specific quality control during rebar tying, formwork erection, and concrete pouring, demonstrating the team’s expertise in successfully addressing challenging construction issues.